Words / B2

org-ZIL-ee-uh-ree/ɔːɡˈzɪliəri/

Auxiliary means giving extra help: auxiliary power; an auxiliary nurse. As a noun, a helper, or a verb such as be, have, or do that helps form a tense: an auxiliary verb. Spare and backup are everyday twins; modal is a type of auxiliary. An auxiliary generator still needs the kW rating. Mix-up: auxiliary vs luxury; axle; do not write auxiliary for the main power source in the spec.

Meaning

Giving extra help; as a noun, a helper, or a verb such as be, have, or do that helps form a tense.

Examples

• “An auxiliary generator still needs the kW rating; an auxiliary verb in the grammar paper is be, have, or do.”
• “An auxiliary generator still needs the kW rating, the DT paper said.”
• “An auxiliary verb in the grammar paper is be, have, or do, which is the language sense — still name the tense formed.”

Good to know

auxiliary power / nurse / verb; an auxiliary. Grammar: be / have / do (and modals). Close: spare / backup / additional. Trap: luxury / the main supply. Physics, citizenship, and English. Extra help, a helper, or a helping verb — quote kW or name the tense.

Near in meaning

additional, backup, helping verb

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